Hard Ride by Trixie Pierce

Nothing is sexier than a determined woman, qualities Katie Parker has in spades. Despite her father’s lack of support, or maybe because of it, Katie manages just fine with Hard Ride, a mechanic shop where she is free to do the one thing that sets off her spark plugs: work on classic cars. What could be better than classic cars and a sexy mechanic?

Houston Moore ran as far as possible from his life as a Naval Intelligence Officer, right into a simpler life as a mechanic at Hard Ride. Having spent the last two years harboring a crush on his boss Katie, he can’t believe his luck when she makes him an offer he can’t refuse.

While ‘friends with benefits’ is a comfortable position for Katie, Houston believes more is possible and knows how to get what he wants. But when Katie realizes someone’s embezzling from the shop, things get dangerous. With Katie’s life on the line, can Houston save her, and convince her there’s more to him than just great sex, or will the sparks sizzle as the danger passes?

Excerpt #1:

Heat seared her back, and she straightened, feeling Houston breathe out and ruffle her hair. She didn’t dare move. Goosebumps rose, and she looked at the open space where an engine was supposed to be.

“Tell me, Katie, when can I ask you out?” His voice was low, sending shivers down her spine. His voice was pure honey, and it poured over her skin.

She’d have to change her panties again if he kept it up.

Excerpt #2:

Houston watched Katie pet the engine, her smile small, erotic. She made a small humming noise in the back of her throat, fingers lightly tracing the outline.

“Damn, Edelbrock sent a beauty, didn’t they?” she whispered.

Houston adjusted his stance.

“All that rumbling power, just ready for the right person to handle gently, and rock hard on the roads.” She raised her eyes to meet his, and he jerked at the brightness of the jade green. “Ready for someone who knows how to handle her, when to go slow and easy through the turns, when to slam on the accelerator and let her run.”

His instincts kicked in, body going tense, muscles tight. She turned, keeping her eyes on his, licking bright red lips, rolling her hips more than usual as she walked to get the rolling toolbox. He didn’t dare speak. He wasn’t sure he’d be able to keep from begging her to let him have his way.

Katie was the only woman he’d ever known that could make working on a car so hot he was about to cum in his pants.

Excerpt #3:

“What’s up?” Houston sat in the chair, hands linked across his stomach.

Katie let her eyes rove over his form, face softening. “Why would I order a 442 from Buick?”

“We haven’t had a Buick go through here in almost two years,” frowning at her words.

“Exactly. And ordering directly from Buick? That’s beyond expensive, almost five grand, and it’s a reconditioned engine. So why do I show several purchases of that kind?” She turned the office chair a full one eighty, elbow on the arm, pinching her lip, and staring out the low office window with a perfect view of her cars.

“Katie, there has to be some mistake.” Houston shifted in the seat, finding he liked the expression of anger and vulnerability.

“Where did Mike say he was going?” she whipped the chair around, and narrowed her eyes.

“He didn’t. You don’t think …” Houston hoped they were wrong.

She stood, her hands flat on the desktop, and leaned forward, eyes flashing dangerously, “Someone is fucking with my business. I’ll find out who it is, and they’d better run now.” She straightened and stalked out.

Houston watched her leave, glad he wasn’t the one in the hot seat. He’d been to the shooting range with her.

Although she hates writing bios in third person, Trixie does love fast cars, fast men, and an enduring fascination with internal combustion engines. Living in the Rockies, she’s traveled enough to know the mountains are home. When not working, she can be found with her head under the hood, or buried in the pages of her next novel.